in this issue

It was almost exclusively about two-channel sound,
and almost exclusively about very pricey gear. To be
sure, there’s still plenty of affordable stuff out there
(and you’ll find the cream of it on the following
pages), and aspiring to the highest of the high end
has always been an expensive game, but never before
have we seen so many components at $10,000 and
above. Manufacturers routinely described systems
comprising $30,000 monoblock amps, $15,000 preamps,
$20,000 DACs, and $25,000–$60,000 speaker systems
as “affordable.” To actually come across a component
that was “merely” $10,000 was a kind of perverse
relief. In our current economy, the gap between the
haves and have-nots is growing and the middle class is
shrinking. If this trend is reflected in specialty audio—
and we believe it is—it indicates that what was once the
bread-and-butter price range of $1500– $5000 per
component is shrinking as well. If last year’s show
indicated a growing separation between two-channel
audio and home theater and an increase in analog
sales, this year’s—at least in our little high-end world—
even more forcefully announced itself as two-channel,
analog-based, pricey, and proud of it. So, pour yourself
a drink, put on some music, sit back, and tour the
show with our staff. Eight enthusiastic and ultimately
footsore gents were assigned to report on the most interesting
components seen and heard. Although we don’t
list every item displayed in every room, we’re confident
that our commentary reflects what makes CES—and
our hobby—so much fun. Finally, apologies to the
many worthy manufacturers who we were unable to
mention due to either time or space limitations.
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